5 Ideas for Staff Summer Fun
Most of the ministries we work with are looking to create a healthy organizational culture with high staff morale, high productivity and low turnover rates. While that might seem like a lofty and complex goal, there’s a relatively simple strategy that can help any organization grow closer to achieving it: cultivating a culture of fun. Fun is the key to healthy staff culture.
The word “fun” often conjures up ideas of adolescence for a reason: grown ups aren’t usually that good at it. And in a workplace environment filled with adults, especially those who have a rigid work ethic, fun must be intentionally encouraged and fostered.
Below are a few ideas to inject a spirit of fun into your staff culture this summer. Do note, we believe the most beneficial type of fun in the workplace happens in the context of relationships (because laughter is always better when shared) and food (prime example: Communion), so you’ll see some common themes:
Start Simple.
Simple gestures like providing snacks or coffee in the breakroom, or hosting an all-team lunch pretty much always builds solid foundations for relationships to grow. This is both easy and cost effective, stemming from a single trip to your local club store.
Make It “A Thing.”
We love a good event. This doesn’t need to be anything fancy, but it’s a step up from donuts in the breakroom. Here are our favorite ideas:
Food Truck. Surprise your staff with an ice cream truck or snow cone truck waiting outside after a staff meeting. This should go without saying, but make sure you pick up the tab!
Team Field Trip. Think laser tag, bowling or a trip to Top Golf. Anything that gets the whole team out of the office, banding together and cheering each other on.
Christmas in July. Go all out: create a playlist of Christmas music, serve hot chocolate and cookies and host a white elephant gift exchange.
Service Project. Nothing beats the shared experience of serving together. Carve out a day to serve with a mission partner, at a local food pantry, or a hospital.
Start a Habit.
Create an interest group like a book club. Consider allocating some budget to purchase books or even pick up the tab for meetings at local coffee shops. Not only will this get your staff thinking and talking regularly but it facilitates time together outside office walls. Don’t have enough time or budget? Take 15 minutes of your weekly staff meeting to discuss each chapter. The purpose still holds up: growth and conversation.
Meet the Fam.
Staff members aren’t the only ones who could build some connections. Encourage relationships between staff families: spouses and kids (even pets!), by planning functions that include the whole family! Rent out the local pool for a day or plan a group outing to the dog park. Bring that ice cream truck back out but on an evening when staff can bring their kids to enjoy it, too!
Give Them a Break.
It seems counterintuitive to send staff home from the office when you want to build relationships and culture in the office, but think about it: In order to have more fun at work, some staff members just might need some breathing room. Fun is hard to come by if you’re feeling burnt out and overworked. Give your staff an extra day off to cash in when they need it. (It’s also worth noting this is the least expensive option on this list–it’s free!)
Creating a culture of fun does require effort and intentionality, but the benefits are more than worth the cost. Not sure these options are the right fit for your team? Ask them what they think! Then begin incorporating more fun in your office and see your culture flourish.